MDARD: Horse tests positive for West Nile virus

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — State officials have confirmed the summer’s first case of West Nile virus in a domesticated animal.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced Friday that a horse in Eaton County has tested positive for the virus. West Nile virus most commonly circulates between birds and mosquitoes, but they can also pass the virus along to humans and other animals. Horses are particularly susceptible.

“The horse became ill with a lack of coordination, facial muscle twitches and being down with an inability to rise. Subsequent testing revealed the animal was positive for WNV,” State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in a statement.

The diagnosis comes one week after the state announced the summer’s first case of eastern equine encephalitis in a horse — that one in Van Buren County .

Like the horse in Van Buren County, the horse that contracted WNV was not vaccinated. The horse diagnosed with EEE has died. MDARD did not provide details of the current status of the horse diagnosed with WNV.

“The key to protecting any domestic animal species from WNV or other mosquito-borne diseases is to safeguard them from mosquitoes and work with your veterinarian to vaccinate as appropriate,” Wineland stated.

As of last week , 61 mosquito pools have tested positive for arboviruses, mostly in the eastern regions of the state. Nineteen birds have tested positive for West Nile virus, along with one person in Livingston County . Two residents from Livingston and Wayne counties have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus.

News 8 expects data from MDARD and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services to be updated Friday with higher numbers. The Calhoun County Public Health Department confirmed that they have recently found their first traces of West Nile virus in a testing pool.

Positive mosquito pools had previously been confirmed in Kent and Ottawa counties.

According to the Kent County Health Department , approximately 80% of people infected with West Nile virus will not notice any symptoms, but they typically include body aches, joint pain and fatigue. Most WNV patients recover completely, but about 1 in 150 develop a severe illness that impacts the central nervous system. Recovery can take months, but sometimes the damage is permanent and can even be deadly.

Since there is no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus, the KCHD says preventative measures are the best way to stay safe.

The department recommends wearing a mosquito repellent that contains at least 10% DEET, wearing light-colored clothing and staying indoors around dusk to avoid mosquitoes’ most active time of day. The department also recommends making sure all window screens are properly sealed and removing or refreshing any standing water on your property that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

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